Multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus

ABSTRACT

A multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus having at least two cooking devices that can be repositioned from a stored position on a transport unit to an operational position n the transport unit wherein each of the two cooking devices are horizontally adjustable to allow each of the cooking devices to be independently adjustable to obtain desirable cooking positions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Outdoor cooking is a very popular style of dining. Such cooking is very common at a variety of outdoor events such as faith-based events, picnics, fund raisers, weddings, family reunions, community festivals, and backyard barbeques that bring people together. At such events, there are a very large variety of foods that are prepared. Often, each of those foods is required to be cooked separately and at different temperatures.

Additionally, when such cooking events take place, the people that are assigned the task of cooking at these events are usually required to transport all the equipment to the area where the event will be held. That equipment usually includes multiple and/or different cooking devices. The transportation of that equipment to the location of is normally accomplished by obtaining a trailer and then having the cooking personnel physically load all the things needed for the event. Those same personnel are then required to transport that cooking equipment to the event, and then unload and assemble those cooking devices at the event location. Because space at the event location can be limited or awkward, the final arrangement of the cooking devices can be inefficient and sometimes even very unsafe. When the event is over, those same cooking personnel must disassemble the cooking devices, reload those cooking devices onto the transportation vehicle, and unload that equipment at the final location where the cooking equipment is stored until needed again at another event. Most outdoor cooking systems having more than a single cooking device are normally assembled and set up in a manner that often makes cooking at the event very inefficient, and sometimes dangerous, as the cook moves between each of the cooking devices.

To remove many of these issues, it would be desirable to incorporate a common residential cooking rule know as the Kitchen Triangle into the design and arrangement of those cooking devices on the transportation unit. The dominant geometric shapes in most kitchens and outdoor cooking systems are either squares or rectangles. But a triangular shape has always been an important element of a kitchen's design and functionality. The so-called “work triangle” is defined by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (the NKBA) as an imaginary straight line drawn from the center of the sink, to the center of the cooking device area, to the center of the refrigerator, and finally back to the sink. Such an arrangement provides not only more efficient use of the cook's energy, but this triangular design also prevents major traffic patterns from crossing through the triangle. Therefore, one major goal of the Kitchen Triangle is to keep all the major work stations near the cook without placing them so closely together that the kitchen becomes cramped. An additional goal is to minimize traffic within the kitchen area so that the cook doesn't have to struggle with interruptions and interferences.

As a result of these several issues noted above, it can be very difficult to complete the process of transporting, setting up, and using cooking devices that are capable of providing efficient, compact, and safe cooking of multiple foods at the same location by using only outdoor cooking apparatus currently found in the art. It would be desirable to have an apparatus that can be transported to a location and then set up quickly into an adjustable outdoor cooking system that would provide safe operation of multiple cooking devices arranged in an efficient manner that would include the potential for arranging the outdoor cooking system in an arrangement as closely as possible to the Kitchen Triangle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In accordance with the various embodiments of the present invention, this invention relates to a uniquely designed Multi Unit Transportable Outdoor Cooking Apparatus that provides more efficient and safe transportation and operation of the apparatus for general use at outdoor events. This includes the use of multiple and separate cooking devices that are mounted on a mobile transport unit in a manner that allows for various adjustments and placements of the multiple cooking devices to best suit the needs of the cook using the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing one arrangement of the components of the invention after the invention has been transported to a location and readied for use;

FIG. 3A is a top view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the cooking devices positioned for storage or shipment;

FIG. 3B is a top view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the cooking devices arranged in an exemplary position for use; and,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the use of different and alternative cooking devices mounted onto the transport unit.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the set of repositioning elements disposed between the bottom of the second platforms and the top of the structural frame of the transport unit.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding steps or parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

While specific embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the above referenced drawings and in the following description, it is understood that the embodiments shown are merely some examples of various preferred embodiments and are offered for the purpose of illustration only, and that various changes in construction may be resorted to in the course of manufacture in order that the present invention may be utilized to the best advantage according to circumstances which may arise, without in any way departing from the spirit and intention of the present invention, which is to be limited only in accordance with the claims contained herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of some preferred embodiments, specific components, devices, and methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be exclusively employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but is nevertheless a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill.

At least one preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings and figures contained within this specification. More specifically, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention are generally disclosed and described in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4.

One embodiment of the present invention of a Multi Unit Transportable Outdoor Cooking Apparatus A is shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the Multi Unit Outdoor Cooking Apparatus A generally includes a transport unit 1 upon which four cooking devices 3, 5, 7, and 9 have been adjustably and movably mounted to the cooking device framework 11 that has itself been attached onto the transport unit 1. It is understood that FIG. 1 shows how one embodiment of the present invention can be positioned on the transport unit 1 for storing or for transporting the Multi Unit Outdoor Cooking Apparatus A from a first location to a second location where the Multi Unit Outdoor Cooking Apparatus will be used for outdoor cooking at an outdoor event.

In the current embodiment the transport unit 1 is a wheeled trailer having a flat upper surface upon which certain components of various embodiments of the invention are directly or indirectly mounted. In alternative embodiments, the transport unit 1 includes a self-mobilizing device such as a car or a truck. In fact, any other type of self mobilizing or non-self mobilizing unit can be used and remain within the scope of the invention as long as the transport unit selected is capable of transporting the components of any embodiment of the present invention in arrangements as noted or suggested herein such that the components can function and operates as noted herein.

When the Multi Unit Outdoor Cooking Apparatus A has arrived at the event, the current embodiment of the invention will be assembled and adjusted as needed to allow the cook to access each cooking device and prepare whatever types of food will be prepared at the event. This adjustment will include positioning each of the cooking devices 3, 5, 7, and 9 as needed to allow each particular cooking device to properly prepare the food. This includes such considerations as the type of food being prepared, the temperature needed to properly cook and prepare each type of food, the time needed to prepare each type of food within each cooking device, and which cooking device will be most used or least used during the cooking process.

The adjustment of the cooking devices, 3, 5, 7, and 9 is accomplished by individually positioning each of the cooking devices as needed. In the current embodiment, the adjustment process would begin with the location of cooking devices 3 and 5. It is noted that each of the first and second cooking devices 3 and 5 are pivotally disposed onto the framework 11 by use of two pivot assemblies 13 (FIG. 2) that connect each of the cooking devices 3 and 5 to the framework. The third and fourth cooking devices 7 and 9 are slideably attached to the transport unit 1 to allow those devices to be slid horizontally on the transport unit. More specifically, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show an embodiment of the present invention wherein FIG. 3A shows the invention in a stored orientation for transport and storage of the invention, while FIG. 3B shows an embodiment of the invention in an operational arrangement after the first and second cooking devices 3 and 5 have been pivoted to locate those devices horizontally, and after the third and fourth cooking devices 7 and 9 have been moved into the position where the first and second cooking devices had previously been stored.

Referring now to the pivot assemblies 13 (FIG. 2) it is noted that each of the two pivot assemblies is capable of pivoting along two separate axes with each axis having a separate pivot point. More specifically, each pivoting assembly 13 has a first pivoting element 15 and a second pivoting element 17 wherein. The first pivoting element 15 and the second pivoting element 17 connected by a cross brace 16. The first pivoting element 15 allows the cooking device 3 to pivot around a first pivoting axis 19 to allow a longitudinal axis 21 of the cooking device 3 to pivot horizontally around first pivoting axis 19 and allow the cooking device 3 to be horizontally positioned with regard to the transport unit 1 in a manner that best facilitates the position of the cooking device in view of the type of food being cooked as well as the temperature and cooking time of that particular type of food. Additionally, the second pivoting element 17 allows the cooking device 3 to pivot around the second pivoting axis 23 to allow the longitudinal axis 21 of the cooking device 3 to pivot horizontally around first pivoting axis 23 and allow the cooking device 3 to again be horizontally positioned with regard to the transport unit 1 in a manner that best facilitates the position of the cooking device in view of the type of food being cooked.

It will be appreciated that this dual pivoting action as provided by each of the two pivoting assemblies 13 gives the cook a much wider range of adjustment for the first cooking device 3. This is to say, the central portion of the first cooking device 3 can be adjusted to locate the first cooking device through a wide range of positions to achieve the best position for use of the cooking device at the specific location of an outdoor cooking event.

It is understood that the second cooking device 5 has a pivoting assembly 13 that is similar to the pivoting assembly for the first cooking device with the difference being the pivoting assembly for the second cooking device is disposed at a different corner of the transport unit 1 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

In the present embodiment, each of the two pivoting assemblies 13 is generally constructed of various metal pipe sections such as tubes, tees, elbows, and caps arranged as shown in FIG. 2. The first pivoting element 15 pivots on a mounting element 25 attached to an outer edge 27 the transport unit 1. A flange 27 is attached to the end portion of the first rotating element 15 in a manner that allows a bottom portion of the first pivoting element 15 to be rotatably located within an opening of the mounting element 25. This allows the first pivoting assembly to rotate around the first pivoting axis 19.

The second pivoting element 17 is mounted onto a cooking device platform 29 by three U bolt assemblies 31. It is understood that the U bolt assemblies 31 are sized, configured, and mounted such as to allow the vertical components of the second pivoting element 17 freely rotate within the U bolt assembly.

When the first and second cooking devices 3 and 5 are not in use and have been positioned onto the transport unit 1 for movement to another location, each of the first cooking device platforms 29 are retained into the stored position by at least one retention assembly 33. In the present embodiment, the retention assembly 33 is a retention pin located to operatively connect each of the two first cooking device platforms 29 to the transport unit 1. It is understood that any type of retention assembly may be used, however, as long as the coking device platforms are secured to the transport unit 1 for movement.

It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other types of components and arrangements can be incorporated into the various embodiments of the present invention and still remain within the intended scope of those inventions as long as the other pivot methods provide the dual axis arrangement that allows each of the first cooking device 3 and the second cooking device 5 to rotate horizontally in a plane substantially parallel to the top of the transport unit frame. In alternative methods for allowing the first and second pivoting elements 15 and 17 to rotate, other methods can be incorporated to replace the mounting element 25 method for the first rotating element 15 and the U bolt method for the second pivoting element 17. For example, bearings may be used as the rotation element that allows each pivoting element to rotate horizontally and still be within the intended scope of certain of the embodiments of the present invention. In fact, any type of structure or component arrangement may be used as long as the structure selected allows each of the first cooking 3 and the second cooking device 5 to be individually rotated around at least one vertical axis of at least one of the pivoting assemblies 13.

It is also noted that the first cooking device platforms 29 may be of any size or configuration as long as the cooking device platform is strong enough to support the selected cooking device and is securely attached to the pivoting elements and allows the cooking devices to rotate as described herein.

In yet other embodiments of the present invention, each of the first cooking device platforms 29 of the first cooking device 3 and the second cooking device 5 include a leveling support 45 (FIG. 2) operationally and pivotally connected to a structural member of the first cooking platform. The pivotal connection of the level supports 45 allows the level supports to be stored in a position horizontally and then swung downward to a vertical position when the leveling supports are needed to set and maintain the level of the first and second cooking devices 3 and 5. After the first and second cooking devices 3 and 5 have been positioned as desired in relation to the transport unit 1, the leveling supports 45 are adjusted as needed to level the first and second cooking devices.

After the first cooking device 3 and the second cooking device 5 have been moved from their stored position and into the operational position rotated away from the transport unit 1, the third cooking device 7 and the fourth cooking device 9 are then relocated from their stored positions and into an operational position. This is done by first removing each retention assembly 33 that locks the third and fourth cooking devices 7 and 9 into position on the transport unit and then sliding each of the third and fourth cooking units from one side of the transport unit 1 to another side of the transport unit as shown in FIG. 2. It is understood that each of the third and fourth cooking devices 7 and 9 are mounted onto a second platform 37.

In the current embodiment, a set of repositioning elements 35 (FIG. 4 and FIG. 4A) are disposed between the bottom of the second platforms 37 and the top of the structural frame 39 of the transport unit 1. Each of the set of repositioning elements 35 of this embodiment comprises two slide elements 36, four straps 38, and eight fastener sets 40. Each of the fasteners sets 40 includes at least one bolt and one nut. The slide elements 36 of the current embodiment are rectangular tubes sized and shaped to allow the cross member 43 of the structural frame 39 to slide within the interior rectangular area of the slide element 36. Installation first includes inserting the cross member 43 through the interior rectangular area of the slide element 36. Then the second platform 37 is located on the upper surfaces of each of the slide elements 36 after which the second platform is held against the two slide element by placing each of the four straps 38 and the four fastener sets 40 as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 4A by passing the bolts through two first mounting openings near each end of each strap and then through two second openings located in the bottom portion of the second platform 37. When all eight of the fastener sets 40 are tightened, the second platform 37 is connected to the two slide elements 36 to permit the second platform to operate in unison with the slide elements when the repositioning elements 35 are used to reposition the cooking devices 7 and 9 on the transport unit 1.

It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other components designs and arrangements may be used as repositioning elements and remain within the intended scope of the current invention. For example, other embodiments of the repositioning elements can include Teflon® or other low friction surface(s) that permit the platforms to move horizontally on the transport unit 1. In yet other embodiments, the repositioning elements can comprise rolling elements, or a combination of roller elements and rails. In fact, any other type of devices and combinations of devices can be used as the repositioning elements as long as the selected devices permit the related cooking devices to be horizontally repositioned on the transport unit.

When positioned near the edge of the transport unit 1, the third and fourth cooking devices 7 and 9 are now positioned to work simultaneously with the previously positioned first and second cooking devices 3 and 5. It is understood that the final position of each of the four cooking devices 3, 5, 7, and 9 can be adjusted as needed by the cook to allow for the most efficient and safe location for each of the cooking devices. It will also be appreciated that the final positioning of the four cooking devices as allowed by the current embodiments of the invention generated the Kitchen Triangle that will enhance the overall operations that normally occur during the outdoor cooking of foods.

In certain of the current embodiments, the cooking devices are generally shown as being cylindrically shaped devices that are normally used as BBQ pits to contained charcoal or other types of wood that are to be burned to generate the heat for cooking in those types of cooking devices. It will be fully appreciated by those of skill in the art, however, that alternative embodiments of the present invention allow for the use of various types of cooking devices and still remain within the intended scope. For example, in an alternative embodiment the cooking devices are propane burners that can be used to heat food within various types of pots and pans. In other embodiments, the cooking device can be in the form of a smoker that can be used to smoke and cure meets within them over long periods of time. In yet other embodiments, the cooking device can be a deep fryer. In fact, any type of cooking device may be used within various embodiments of the present invention as long as the cooking device selected is appropriate for the type of food being cooked during the use of the invention. Similarly, it will also be appreciated that there are yet other alternative embodiments of the present invention wherein each of the four cooking devices as shown and described herein can be of different types. For example, cooking devices 3 and 5 (FIG. 4) may be charcoal burning devices, cooking device 49 may be a propane cooking device, and cooking device 51 can be a deep fryer. Each of these combinations as well as other combinations of cooking devices can be used and still fall within the scope of various embodiments of the present invention. One example of these multiple combinations of cooking devices is shown in FIG. 4 where wood burning BBQ pits are combined with a propane-fueled cooking device mounted together with a deep fryer device. In fact, any type of cooking device can used with certain embodiments of the invention as long as the positioning of the cooking devices incorporates the dual axes pivoting of the cooking devices and allow the selected cooking devices to be stored and positioned as noted above.

Additionally, although the embodiments of the present invention can be used at a wide range of outdoor events, yet other embodiments of the invention include a display mounting device upon which marketing or informational notices can be mounted and displayed. For example, if the outdoor event is a wedding, a “Good Wishes” notice can be mounted onto the display device to wish the bride and groom the best of luck. In other cases, a business might wish to identify the name of their company on the display frame. The content of the display can be of any type as long as the content fits the size of the display being mounted onto the display mounting frame of those embodiments.

In the preceding description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but is nevertheless a routine undertaking of design, fabrication and manufacture for those of ordinary skill. The scope of the invention should be determined by any appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Additionally, it will be seen in the above disclosure that several of the intended purposes of the invention are achieved, and other advantageous and useful results are attained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above descriptions or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Terms such as “proximate,” “distal,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “exterior,” “interior,” and the like when used herein refer to positions of the respective elements as they are shown in the accompanying drawings, and the disclosure is not necessarily limited to such positions. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.

When introducing elements or features and the exemplary embodiments, the articles “a,” “an,” “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of such elements or features. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features other than those specifically noted. It is further to be understood that the method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “operatively connected,” “connected,” “coupled,” “engaged,” or “engageable” to and/or with another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, engaged, engageable to and/or with the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected,” “directly coupled,” “directly engaged,” or “directly engageable” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus comprising: a transport unit having a generally flat upper surface; a first cooking device disposed on a first platform wherein a pivot assembly operationally connects the first platform to the transport unit near the flat upper surface, wherein the pivot assembly further comprises a first pivoting element and a second pivoting element that provide two vertical axes for pivoting the pivot assembly, wherein the first pivoting element pivots the first cooking device around a first pivoting axis to allow a longitudinal axis of the first cooking device to pivot horizontally and generally parallel to plane of the flat surface of the transport unit, and wherein the pivot assembly includes two vertical axes for horizontal positioning of the first cooking device in relation to a plane of the flat surface of the transport unit; and a second cooking device disposed on a second platform wherein a set of sliding elements operationally connects the second platform to a frame of the flat upper surface of the transport unit wherein the set of sliding elements allows the second platform to be relocated from a first position on the flat upper surface to a second position on the flat upper surface of the transport unit.
 2. The multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the set of sliding elements comprises two slide elements, four mounting straps, and eight fastener sets wherein each of the fasteners sets includes at least one bolt and one nut, wherein the slide elements are rectangular tubes sized and shaped to allow the cross member of the structural frame to be slideably mounted into an interior rectangular area of the slide element, and wherein the mounting straps include a first set of mounting openings for installation of the fasteners sets into the related mounting strap and into a second set of mounting openings located in a bottom portion of the second platform.
 3. The multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first pivoting element pivots on a mounting element attached to the transport unit and wherein the first pivoting element comprises a flange attached to an end portion of the first pivoting element in a manner that allows a bottom portion of the first pivoting element to be rotatably located within an opening of the mounting block to allow the first pivoting element to rotate around the first pivoting axis.
 4. The multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second pivoting element pivots the first cooking device around a second pivoting axis to further allow the longitudinal axis of the first cooking device to pivot generally horizontally and parallel to plane of the flat surface of the transport unit.
 5. The multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second pivoting element is operationally connected to the second platform by U bolt assemblies that are sized, configured, and mounted such as to allow vertical components of the second pivoting element rotate within the U bolt assembly.
 6. The multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a set of retention devices operationally mounted to each of the first platform and the second platform wherein each of the set of retention devices maintain the positions of the first platform and the second platform in a temporary stored position on the transport unit for relocation of the multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus.
 7. The multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first platform includes a leveling support operationally and pivotally connected to a structural member of the first cooking platform.
 8. The multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus of claim 7 wherein the pivotal connection of the level supports to the first platform allows the level supports to be stored in a position horizontally and then swung downward to a vertical position that allows the leveling support to be adjusted to level of the first cooking devices.
 9. The multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first cooking device uses a power source that is one of either wood, charcoal, propane, or electricity.
 10. A multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus comprising: a transport unit having a generally flat upper surface; a first cooking device disposed on a first platform, a second cooking device disposed on a second platform, a third cooking device disposed on a third platform, and a fourth cooking device disposed on a fourth platform; wherein each of the first platform and the second platform includes a pivot assembly that operationally connects one of either the first platform or the second platform to the transport unit near the flat upper surface, wherein the pivot assembly further comprises a first pivoting element and a second pivoting element, wherein each pivot assembly includes two vertical axes for generally horizontal positioning of at least one of either the first cooking device or the second cooking device in relation to a plane of the flat surface of the transport unit; and wherein the third platform and the fourth platform are operationally connected to the upper surface of the transport unit by a set of sliding elements such that each sliding element in the set of sliding elements allows at least one of either the third platform or the fourth platform to be relocated from a first position on the flat upper surface to a second position on the flat upper surface of the transport unit.
 11. The multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a set of retention devices operationally mounted to each of the first platform, the second platform, the third platform, and the fourth platform wherein each of the set of retention devices maintain the position of at least one of either the first platform, the second platform, the third platform, or the fourth platform in a temporary stored position on the transport unit for relocation of the multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus.
 12. The multi unit transportable outdoor cooking apparatus of claim 11 wherein one of either the first cooking device, the second cooking device, the third cooking device, or the fourth cooking device uses a power source that is one of either, wood, charcoal, propane, or electricity. 